Bears cut punter Adam Podlesh

There’s another free-agent punter on the market. And the Bears have a little less — and a little more — cap space.

The Bears have announced that punter Adam Podlesh has been released. With two years left on his contract and a signing bonus paid in 2011 of $2 million, the Bears will absorb $800,000 in dead money.

The Bears also pick up $1.4 million in cap space via the salary that won’t be paid to Podlesh, for a net gain of $600,000.

Podlesh, who spent the four prior seasons with the Jaguars, instantly becomes available to sign with any other team. Given that Lovie Smith coached the Bears when Podlesh was signed, Smith could be interested in bringing Podlesh to Tampa.

Then again, maybe not. In 2013, Podlesh had a career-low average of 40.6 yards, and his lowest net since 2008, his second season in the league.

So the purge begins- next Bush, then Weems, then Earl B., then Peppers. Open up about another 12-14 M in space. Then use the Cutler deal, spread out some of that cash and push cap to 26-30M. Then sign a DT, a DE, a CB. Then in draft 2 DLs, a SS, a FS.